DAYTONA To Host Two-Day Esports Event

'Titans At Daytona' to showcase Street Fighter Champions at the “World Center of Racing”

Daytona International Speedway, continuing its venture into esports, will host gamers for a two-day international Street Fighter V tournament. “Titans At Daytona” will include a 256-player open bracket, followed by a highlighted battle between world-class gamers from the Dominican Republic and the state of Georgia.

“There is no question that the Speedway is a perfect venue for esports,” said Heath Jones, CEO of Koralis Entertainment. “Gamers have responded very favorably to the idea of earning a championship at Daytona -- which is a name synonymous with greatness.”

With its 2050 Esports brand, Daytona-based Koralis Entertainment has produced esports events in Daytona Beach since 2015 including first-ever esports events at both the Ocean Center and the Speedway last November.

“We were pleased with the event last fall and the feedback we received from gamers,” said Chip Wile, President of Daytona International Speedway. “Hosting this esports event continues to build upon the diversity within the Speedway events calendar and we look forward to welcoming gamers again this fall.”

Gaming events across various titles and platforms have become a multi-billion-dollar industry as the Entertainment Software Association estimates that more than 155 million Americans play video games. The eSports industry is experiencing a boom as millions have taken to competitive gaming in both professional and amateur ranks.

2050 Esports is the first esports company to be licensed by Daytona to produce co-branded events. “Titans At Daytona” is the first of a series of events planned by 2050 Esports under this license.

“We are thrilled to be able to work with the Speedway to help esports continue to grow in Daytona Beach,” Jones added. “There is a tremendous community of gamers in Central Florida that are always looking for new and unique opportunities to get together and share in the live experience. This relationship will provide those opportunities.”

The 2050 esports “Titans At Daytona” takes place Friday and Saturday, October 5-6, 2018 in Daytona International Speedway’s DAYTONA 500 Club. The Street Fighter tournament is open to any players and there is no entry fee. All of the action will be broadcast live from the “World Center of Racing” on Twitch.tv and Facebook Live.

Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports venue and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of "The Great American Race” – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the “World Center of Racing,” boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training. For more information, visit DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com.